WASHINGTON -- Free agent Alfonso Soriano has rejected a five-year, $70 million contract offer from the Washington Nationals, and a team official said it's "almost impossible" that Soriano will stay with the Nats.

Nationals special assistant Jose Rijo told a newspaper in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, that the team is "more than interested" in re-signing Soriano. But he said the team's financial structure is preventing this.

Soriano had an All-Star year in his one season for the Nats. He became the first player in baseball history to hit at least 40 home runs, steal at least 40 bases and hit at least 40 doubles. He also recorded more than 20 assists in his first season as a left fielder after a career as a second baseman.

WABronco

10-12-2006, 09:29 PM

Brilliant move--keeping him that is. Despite what was said by both parties at the deadline, you have to be absolutely retarded to think he was returning to the Nats.

Now all they'll get is a draft pick...they could've had their pick of the "top prospect litter" so to speak.

Bronco LB 59

10-13-2006, 01:30 PM

Brilliant move--keeping him that is. Despite what was said by both parties at the deadline, you have to be absolutely retarded to think he was returning to the Nats.

Now all they'll get is a draft pick...they could've had their pick of the "top prospect litter" so to speak.

I don't think Frank Robinson is the greatest manager by any means, but the Nationals' struggles have to do more with GM Jim Bowden's incompetency than Mr. Robinson's managerial decisions. Who knows why the new ownership group under Stan Kansten has decided to keep Bowden.

Soriano is a jerkoff. He probably wants a 7 year contract and somebody is going to give it to him. It won't be long before they regret giving it to him, too.